EMPOWERING PEOPLE

We work with a diverse group of partners around the world to create opportunities for all people to get outside and establish a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors. Current partners include:

Program requirements/guidelines
Our grant program self selects our nonprofit partners by working with our employees, retailers, and distributors. We do not accept unsolicited grants or sponsorship requests. Partners must be tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain focus and achieve greater impact of corporate giving, Columbia Sportswear will not provide charitable support for the following:

• Political organizations/persons
  
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
  
• Organizations that discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disabilities, and sexual preference.
  
• Third-party distributors
  
• Individuals
  
• Individual study, research, or travel grants
  
• Capital campaigns
  

Questions or requests
Please direct any questions or requests for information to our Community Relations Department

We support our employees, customers, and communities around the world in their efforts to leave the world better than they found it.

Women represent 75% of Columbia’s finished good factory workforce and we’re committed to finding ways to empower them to improve their lives. Ten years ago, we began a partnership with Business for Social Responsibility to implement HERproject™ training in our factories around the world. A multifaceted educational program, HERproject™ provides training in women’s health, financial literacy, and gender equality. We’ve implemented HERproject™ at our finished goods suppliers in Vietnam, India, China, and Bangladesh, with more programs to come. To date, we’ve helped 30,000 women unlock their full potential.

In 2017, 3,000 volunteer hours were donated by Columbia employees to charitable causes. Every Columbia employee is awarded 16 paid volunteer hours per year, for volunteer activities. Additionally, our corporate matching program allows us to match our employee's investments in their communities, up to $1,000/year per employee. Our volunteer and community investment policies empower employees to provide meaningful support to their communities.

Columbia is dedicated to supporting disaster relief efforts around the world where we operate and sell products. We work with reputable nonprofit organizations such as OXFAM, UNICEF, Mercy Corps, and American Red Cross to disburse monetary and product donations where most needed. Most recently, Columbia has supported disaster relief efforts in Nepal, Philippines, and in the U.S.

Columbia and the National Breast Cancer Foundation partnered to create "I Wear Pink", an apparel collection which benefits the Foundation and contributes funds to provide mammogram services for those in need. Since its inception in 2007, this program has raised over $1 million for the NBCF.

In 2015, we expanded our partnership across borders to include the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). Through support from I Wear Pink, CBCF will continue to make significant investments in research, education, and support programs for those affected by breast cancer across Canada.

Columbia partners with the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) to help educate consumers on how to safely enjoy the outdoors. SCF is the only international organization devoted solely to education, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of the world’s most common cancer. More than 5 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year.

Additionally, we have partnered with the SCF to produce 'Rays' Awareness: Science of Sun Safety curriculum designed for 5th and 6th grade students. This curriculum has been distributed throughout the southern United States and is available for download here.